Chapter 21
"I don't believe this shit," Brian groaned the next evening. "This can only happen to me when I went jogging this morning"
Briana turned from the view of the ocean. "What? Having a little pink won't kill you."
"A little pink? I look like a lobster. Jesus."
"That's why they make SPF 45. Try using some once in awhile." She managed to hide a grin, albeit barely. "Seriously, it isn't that bad. You are just barely pink, that's all."
"Well, be warned, it may put a damper on sex tonight."
"As if I would care. I could use a break anyway," Briana replied with a giggle.
"Damn, baby, do I wear you out that bad?" He grinned and raised an eyebrow.
"Don't get such a big head just yet, mister. Besides, I'd like to think there's more to us than just the sex, though I'm not complaining there. Like, just being out here tonight roasting hot dogs in the little bonfire is nice."
"Yeah, well, it's nice to try something different for a change when we're home."
"As you know, it takes very little to make me happy." Briana put her head on his shoulder.
"Good, because I can only DO very little to make a woman happy," Brian replied before reaching for something.
He then presented a small box. "I know this isn't a back booth of a truck stop in Cleveland, but….."
Briana's eyes widened. "Brian David, is this what I think it is?"
An idea came to Brian's mind. "Let's go to the guard tower!"
She was confused for a moment with the about face, but nodded. "Sure. I'll follow you."
When they got there, Briana followed him into the small guard tower with a small window in front, overlooking the vast ocean.
Brian looked in her eyes and asked her if she knew how much he loved her.
"Of course. I love you too," she said softly.
Brian's eyes began to gloss over as he said, "I want to spend the rest of my life with you."
And then he dropped to one knee. The world stopped for Briana for one second before she saw it - there was a beautiful, bright, diamond ring nestled in the small box he had just shown her earlier.
Oh my God, is this really happening? she mused.
"Will you marry me?" he asked with a touch of hopefulness in his voice.
Briana hugged him, crying a little After about forty five seconds of that, Brian looked back at her, smiling, and whispered," Is that a 'yes'?"
"Yes. Yes!"
My goodness, Briana thought as they embraced and she admired her new ring, when they say he's a man with a plan, they weren't kidding…..